Improved ladder-hook



UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOSEPH Gr. ROCKWELL, OF CORTLAND, ASSIGNOR TO CALVIN EATON, OF WEBSTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED LADDER-HOOK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 58,7311, dated Octobei` 9, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jos. G. BOOKWELL, of Cortland, in the county of Cortland and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Locking-Hook for Extension-Ladders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a Jfull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making part of this specification, in which the hook is shown in its adjustment for use by the full lines A, and bythe dotted lines B in its position while passing the rounds of the lower section of the ladder when the upper section is being run down, and by the dotted line C its position when ready to hook.

The nature ot this invention consists in so constructing the hook of extension-ladders in one single piece of metal that it shall act automatically in permitting the extension or the folding of the ladder, or locking it at any desired point of extension.

To enable others to make and use my invention, I will describe it more fully, as follows:

The beak h of the hook A should be made about as shown in the drawing, and ot' proper length to suit the width of the rails of the ladder to which it is to be applied. The eye a should be large enough to slip onto the end of one of the rounds loosely at or near the lower end of the upper section. The counter-balance c should not be arranged exactly opposite to the hook, but a little under or nearer the open side ot it, as shown in the drawing, and of suiiicient weight to cause the hook to swing to its present position instantly after passing a round. The spur b is provided to permit the lowering of the upper section or folding of the ladder. It should project beyond-the point of the hook. By that means, when the ladder is to be locked to any desired length, the upper section is run up until the beak of the hook passes the round to which it is to be hooked, when the point d is thrown against the round by the counter-balance. The operator then reverses the crank and the hook catches the round r, as shown in the drawing. When the upper section of the ladder isv being run up the hook passes the rounds of the lower section, as shown by the dotted lines C. When it is desired to lower it the crank should be turned far enough to carry the point d of the spur above the round to which the hook had been connected, and then, when the motion of the crank is reversed, the spur strikes the rounds and throws the hook back, as represented by the dotted lines at B, thereby1 permitting the folding of the ladder as effectually and rapidly as is possible with the ordina-ry latch-hook.

This hook is more simple to make than those, there being but one piece of casting. It is cheaper and more easily applied than the hooks heretofore used for this purpose. Besides, it can be made so much shorter than the other hooks that when it is hooked it brings the rounds ot' the two sections in just about the proper position to form a step, whereas the hooks formerly used, being' so long, would divide the spaces so irregularly as to render it very troublesome to climb that portion of the ladder which should remain double.

There is no adjustment or setting7 required in applying this hook to the ladder, it only being necessary to put it on the round as the ladder is put together, when it becomes entirely self-adjusting.

I hereby disclaim heilig' the inventor ot` any and all ladder-hooks constructedv in two or more pieces and requiring the several parts to be employed to operate successfully; but

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The extension-ladder hook constructed and operating substantially as shown and described, and for the purposes herein set forth.

JOSEPH G. ROCKWELL.

Witnesses AsAHEL Toni), J r., PRES. R. Pnoir. 

